The Hobie Sponsored, Pelagic Pursuit-Kayak Fishing Tournament was held on Sunday, April 16th on Hawaii Islands west side. Our friend Sean Jensen tipped me off that the weigh in was occurring nearby at Plenty Pupule Kayaks behind Home Depot. We had coincidentally met Sean at Costco nearby after he finished the tournament. Sean is my assistant Stacy’s very brave husband and “local boy” who is fearless in his pursuit of large fish in a small kayak :).

Sean reported that his day was highlighted by catching 2 large tiger sharks and one marlin-all from his 16’ kayak! He reports being “reeled” in by one of the sharks and towed him out to sea over 1/2 mile where he figured out what he had hooked up to and cut it free!! The marlin was reeled up to his small vessel and managed to get free.

Check out the photos of the 50 lb barracuda, large Ono, grey snapper and beautiful rainbow runner fish. They are all beautiful and amazingly caught in open ocean kayaks powered primarily by foot pedals which drive “flippers” that propel the kayak. Some of the kayaks have outriggers for stability that can be retracted and various other features specifically for fishing in open ocean. The fish caught in these simple, hand and foot powered vessels is impressive and would make great prize fish if caught on the $1m+ fishing yachts in our harbors much less a simple Kayak!

Plenty Pupule Kayaks is run by Leslie Lowe and sponsors this event yearly. His business offers many kayak varieties including the Hobie Adventure Island, sailing kayaks that many island residents own. Check out their website!

I believe this is one of the most difficult and risky forms of fishing I can imagine given the open ocean conditions and risk associated with reeling in the large pelagic fish and sharks the fisherman are attacking with their bait. Hats off to Sean and other members of this “salty crew” who flew in from Oahu and beyond to take part in this very cool fishing tournament!!!

Written by Rick Oliver on April 23, 2018
Posted in: Hawaii Life | Tags: fishing, fishing tournament, Hobie, kayak